Kvetching for Dummies: A Torah Guide to Complaining the Right Way

Parashas Beshalach

Complaining has gotten a bad rap. No one likes a complainer, and we’re taught from a young age not to complain. More often than not, complaining backfires, bringing even more frustration or pain. Is there anything good or even virtuous about complaining? Could it serve a productive purpose?

The Jewish people have been complaining since time immemorial, sometimes justifiably, often not. One thing is certain: we always have something to complain about. Arguably, it’s what keeps us going.

As the Jewish people were leaving Mitzrayim, they had just witnessed the makkos and the seemingly complete breakdown of Egyptian morale and strength. They were ecstatic, ready to move forward as a people after generations of darkness. Suddenly, they saw the Egyptians closing in behind them. They looked ahead, only to find the sea blocking their path. Panic set in, as it would for any of us.

From this place of fear, they turned to Moshe and began complaining: What’s the plan? Were there not enough graves in…